Conveying apparatus



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CONVEYING APPARATUS.

Patented Jan. 5, 1897.

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CONVEYING APPARATUS. No. 574,714. klatented Jan. 5, 1897.

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CONVEYING APPARATUS.

Pented Jan. 5, 1897.

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Patented Jan. 5, 1897.

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No. 574,714. Patented Jan. 5, 1897.

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COWLEY. GONVEYING APPARATUS.

Patented Jan. 5, 18,97.

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' 13 Sheets-Sheet 11. J. T. GOWLEY.

CONVEYING APPARATUS.

No. 574,714. Patented' Jan.' 5, 1897.

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Patented Jan. 5, 1897.'

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(No ModeL) 110.574,714. vPatented Jan; 5, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. COlVLEY, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LAMSON CONSOLIDATED STORE SERVICE COMPANY, OF NEVARK, NEW JERSEY.

CONVEYING APPARATUS.

SPECIFIGA'IIONl forming part of Lettersl Patent No: 574,714, dated January 5, 1897.

Application filed February 6, 1895. cral No. 537,504. (No model.) l

To all whom t may concern.' jaws open to receive and grip the propelling- Be it known that l, JAMES T. COWLEY, of cable. Fig. 10 is a detail view of one of the Lowell, county of Middlesex, and State of gripping-jaws. Fig. llisasideview showing Massachusetts, have invented new and useacontinuatiou of the line shown in Fig. 3, 55 5 ful Improvements in Conveying Apparatus; with the tracks inclined to and from the deand I hereby declare that the following is a livery-station, and also showing the grip-opfull, clear, and exact description of the invenerating trips where the carrier is released tion, which will enable others skilled in the from the cable on Athe lower line and gripped art to which it appertains to make and use the onto the cable on the upper line when the car- A6o to same. rier is respectively going to and returning My invention relates to automatic conveyfrom said delivery-station. Fig. 12 shows a ing apparatus for transporting parcels from cross-section of the said lines through line b b, one point to another, ,and it is especially Fig. 11. Fig. 13 shows in side elevation a adapted for conveying -books from one or continuation of the line shown in Fig. 11, the 65 r 5 more stations along a line and from one floor lower line inclined toward the delivery-stato another in a library, although it is to be tion and the upper line inclined from the deunderstood that it is equally well adapted to livery-station the same as shown in Fig. 11 other uses, but for the purpose of this deand showing' the carrier on the upper line scription l shall refer to it as being' used in a returning from the delivery-station or eleva- 7o 2o library. tor toward the point where it is gripped onto My invention consists of mechanism by the propelling-cable. Fig. 13 is a sectional which the movement of the carrier passing detail view of the air-cushioning device to on the elevator-carriage actuates the elevatake up the momentum of the carrier as it tor-operating lnechanism Wherebythe carrier passes onto the elevator-carriage. Fig. 14 75 25 and its load are automatically raised or lowrepresents an end view of a station on the ered to the desired floor. line and showing the mechanism for regullly invention further consists of a substanlating the descent of the station-elevator to tially horizontal line with stations located on the lower track and its return to the upper the line and of an elevator operated in contrack. Fig. 15 represents an end view of the 8o 3o nection with the said line and arranged to extreme end of the line fromthe deliveryend automatically elevate or lower the carriers and showing means for keeping an even tenfrom the line to another line or station situsion on the propelling-cable. Fig. 16 isaside ated on another Hoor. view of a section of the elevator, showing the My invention also consists of certain novel elevator-carriage down in position to receive 85 35 features, arrangements, and combinations the carrier from the lower track of the main hereinafter described, and particularly pointline coming from the stations along the line7 ed out in the claims. with the tracks of the elevator-carriage in In the accompanying drawings7 which illusalinement with the lower tracks and inclined trate my invention, Figure 1 is aside view of in the same direction as the lower tracks. 9o 4o a station on the line. Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 17 is a side view of a section of the elethe saine. Fig. A3 is a side elevation of a convator, showing the elevator-carriage raised in tinuation of the system beyond the station position to deliver the carrier onto another shown in Fig. 1 toward the delivery-station. track-line leading to the delivery-station, Fig. 4 is across-section through the tracks'on with the tracks of the elevator-carriage in- 95 45 the line a. u of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view clined the same as shown in Fig. 16. Fig. showing a continuation of the plan view of 17n is a plan view through the elevator on the the station shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is aside 1 line d d, Fig. 17, with certain parts omitted, view of the carrier. Fig. 7 is an inverted and showing only the mechanism for releasplan view of the bottom of the carrier. Fig. ingthe elevator fromits upper position. Fig. roo 5o 8 is an end view of the carrier. Fig. 9 is a 1S shows a side view of a section of the eledetail view of the gripping device with the vator and in dot-ted lines the position of the elevator-carriage when the carrier is received thereon from the delivery-track and in full lines the tracks of the elevator-carriage in alineinent with the upper track of the main return-line and inclined toward said track, so that the carrier will run by gravity onto said track. Fig. 18 is a detail plan view of the elevator-releasing mechanism on the return-track, looking down from the line h 7L, Fig. 18. Fig. lf) is a plan view through the elevator on line c c, Fig. 17. Fig. 20isa side view of the delivery track and station, where the carrier is received from the elevator. Fig. 2l is a plan view of same. Figs. 22, 23, 24, 2i, 25, and' 2G represent certain views of the elevator-carriage-operating mechanism, in which Fig. 22 represents an end view; Fig. 23, a longitudinal sectional view on the line d LZ of Fig. 24. Fig. 24s shows a plan view in section on line g g, Fig. 23. Fig. 241 is a front view of the elevator-Operating mechanism, showing the belt-shifting mechanism. Fig. 25 is a sectional view of the clutch mech- Lanisin on theline e e, Fig. 24; and Fig. 26 is a cross-section of the clutch mechanism on the line ff, Fig. 25. Fig. 27 represents a side view of the line where it is necessary to turn a corner. Fig. 28 is a plan view of the same.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to Figs. G to 10, inclusive, the carrier A, in which the parcels are transported, consists of an open basket A, and secured on its bottom is the casting A3, from which depend suitable lugs A3, through which pass the shafts A1 and are secured therein. On the ends of these shafts A1 are journaled the wheels A3. Journaled to the casting A2 are suitable guide rollers A0, which are adapted to guide the carrier passing around corners on the line and in passing on to the elevator. Journaled also in the casting A2 is a shaft A1, bent at right angles, so as to form a lever. On this shaft there is pinned fast a hub A3, from which projects an arm A0, from this arm branches A10 project through slots A10 in the grip-jaws A13. A11 is a spring wound around said shaft A7 and adapted to hold the gri p-jaws in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 8. The gripping-jaws A13 are journaled in the casting A11, secured to the casting A3, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, by means of the pins A15 and A13, the former of which are secured fastto the casting A14 at the ends and the latter to the depending lugs A17 at the center of said casting A11. (See Figs. S and 9.) These jaws are provided with slots A12, which work upon the pins A13, and also slots A1, which work upon the pin A13. These slots are adapted to guide the jaws as they are raised and lowered by the fingers A10 when actuated by the lever A7. When the fingers A10 are lowered by the movement of lhe lever A7 contacting with a suitable grip-actuating device, the upper portion of the slot A19 is brought downward to the position shown in Fig. 9 by the fingers A10, working in the slots A10. This slot A10 is so formed as t0 open the jaws to the position shown in Fig. 9, ready to receive the propelling-cable E. Vhen the fingers A10 are returned to their gripping position by the action of the spring A11, the lower portion of the slot A10 is raised, and said slot at this point is so formed as to close the jaws upon the propelling-cable, and the pressure of the spring is sufficient to grip and tighten the lower ends A20 (see Fig. S) of the jaws A13 upon the cable, which propels the carriers along the way.

A31, Figs. 7 and 8, represent an adjustable lu g depending from the forward shaft A1, and this lug is adapted to engage with a corresponding switching-guide B3, pla-ced at the different stations along the line, that is, the lug is set on each carrier at different positions on said shaft to engage with the corresponding switching-guide at the station to which the said carrier belongs, so that the carriers upon reaching their proper stations are diverted by said lugs and switching-guides to the branch tracks.

A31 is a lug depending from the rear shaft A4 and adapted to operate certain trip mechanism at the elevator end, hereinafter explained.

A03 represents guide-rollers placed at the top of the carriers and adapted to engage with the upper guide-rail B30 on the upper line and D5 on the lower line to prevent the carrier from being displaced in its travel.

A31 represent-s rubber bunters placed at each end of the carrier to receive the shock when one carrier contacts with another.

Referring now to Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, and 5, there is represented one of the stations along the main line at which a carrier belonging to said station is adapted to be sent to the deliverystation and to be returned to said station. D represents the main forwarding-line from the several stations to the delivery-station, and B the main return-line from the delivery-station to the several stations along the line. At the station shown there is provided a branch track B3 for the upper line and a branch track D3 for the lower line, leading, respectively, from the main upper and lower tracks B and D to the the station-elevator. The upper branch' tracks B3 are adapted to receive the carrier when returning from the delivery-station and convey it on to the tracks B1 of the station-elevator shown in Figs. l and 2. The main tracks D and branch tracks D2 are directly under the upper tracks B and branch tracks B3. The station-elevator is held in a raised position by the counterbalance-weight B23 (see Fig. 14) and the weight of the carrier lowers the station-elevator from the upper branch tracks B3 to the lower branch tracks D2, when the carrier is in position to be forwarded again to the delivery-station. Vhen a carrier is returning from the delivery-station and passing along the track B, Fig. 3, as it approaches the stations the end of the griplever A'7 passes under the grip-disengaging IOO IIO

cam B and depresses the lever, thus releasing the cable from the gripping-jaws of the carrier. Now if the said carrier belongs to the station shown in Fig. 1 the lug A21, projecting from the shaft A4 of the carrier, will engage with the switch-plate B2, Figs. 3, 5, and S,and the carrier will be diverted from the main track B on to the branch track B5, the carrier will then travel by momentum or gravity along the branch tracks B3 on to the tracks B4 of the station-elevator. As the carrier passes on to the station-elevator the guide-rollers AG on the side of the carrier contact with the guiderails B5 of the station-elevator and check the momentum of the carrier. The forward axle A4 of the carrier strikes the lever B15 and pushes it forward against the tension of the spring B15 until the catch B11 is disengaged from the lug B15, and through the connections of the lever B15, catch B11, and said lug B15 means are provided for unlocking the elevator by the movement of the carrier and allowing the same to descend to alinement with the lower track, Figs. l and 2. The elevator then being released will descend by the additional weight of the carrier until the tracks B1 are in alinement with the lower branch tracks D2, so that when desired the carrier can be again forwarded along the lower tracks D to the delivery-station. Around the uprights B12 are secured the cross-bars B19 and B11, and between these cross-bars are fastened rods B2, upon which the station-elevator is adapted tc slide up and down, and secured to the top cross-bar B11 is a pulley B21.

Fastened to the top of the station-elevator at B20 is a suitable cord B22, which passes over the pulley B21 and downward to a counterbalance-weight B22, Fig. 14. This counterbalance-weight is heavy enough to maintain the station-elevator in a raised position when the carrier is not on the elevator, as in Fig. 1; but when the additional weight of the carrier is on the elevator and the catch B14 is released the combined Weight is sufficient to raise the counterbalance-weight and lower the elevator to its lower position,with the bottom of the elevator in contact with the rubber cushion B17. Fastened to the lower end of the station-elevator is a rod B12, which passes downward to an air-cushion B1S of ordinary construction, Figs. 1 and 14, and the object of this air-cushion is to regulate the rise and fall of the station-elevator, so that an easy movement is imparted in both directions. As shown, (see Figs. l, 2, and 14,) the station-elevator is formed of two brackets B5, which slide upon the rods B1 and are connected at the back by abrace B7 and at the top by a cross-brace B2, to which tracks B4 are attached. The guide-rails B5 are supported from the brackets B52, which are fastened to the tracks B4. If the carrier is not intended to stop at the station shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, but'it is designed to go to some station beyond, the switch-lug A21 on the bottom of the carrier will not engage with the switch-plate B2, but will pass by the said switch-plate, and the carrier will not be 'diverted on to the branch tracks B2, but will pass along the main track past the junction of the main and switch tracks.

At the junction of the main and branch tracks the propelling-cable passes Linder one of the branch tracks B2, and it is therefore necessary that the carriers passing along the main line should be disengaged from the propelling-cable at this point and engage the propelling-cable again after they have passed this point, where the cable passes under the branch track. After the carriers belonging to the stations beyond have passed the junction where the branch tracks are joined to the main tracks and the point Where the cable passes under the branch tracks the grip-lever A7 will engage and passvunder the gripengaging cam B21, supported from the track B by the bracket B25, secured to the tracks, and this engagement of the lever A7 and gripengaging cam B21 will lower the grip-jaws in position to receive the propelling-cable E, as shown in Fig. 9, and when the lever A7 passes from under the grip-engaging cam B21 the action of the spring A11 will raise the gripping-jaws A15 to the position shown in Fig. S and grip the propelling-cable, so as to propel the carrier to stations beyond. The propelling-cable E is held raised by the pulley B22, supported in the bracket B25, in position to be gripped by the jaws ofthe carrier.

When it is desired to forward acarrier from one of the stations along the line to the delivery-station, the carrier is pushed from the station-elevator on to the branch tracks D2 and from thence on to the main line D. As the carrier passes on to the main line D the vgrip-operating lever A7 engages with and passes Linder the grip-engaging cam D', (see Fig. 3,) and the lever is thus lowered and the grip-jawsare opened to receive the propellingcable, as shown in Fig. 9, and by a continued movement the jaws will close upon the propelling-cable and grip the same and propel the carrier along the lower line toward the delivery-station, the action of the gripping device being identical to that just described, where the carrier is passing along the main return-line past a station to some station beyond.

When a carrier is on the main forwardingline D passing by a station, for instance, the

station shown in Figs. 1 and 2, going toward the delivery-station, and as the cable passes under one of the branch tracks D2 the same .as previously described for the upper branch tracks B5 it is necessary to disengage the propelling-cable from the carrier before this junction is reached, so that the carrier can pass over said junction and engage the cable E again after the junction has passed. A grip disengaging cam D2, supported by bracket D1, fastened to the main lower line D in position shown in Fig. 1, disengages the cable from the carrier, when the carrier will IOO IIO

pass by momentum over the junction to the grip-engaging cam D', Fig. 3, the action oi' disengaging and engaging being the same as previously explained by the ca-ms B and B21 acting on the lever A1, and the carrier being thus gripped again to the cable is carried toward the delivery end along the lower line D.

Figs. 11, 12, and 13 show a continuation of the main tracks B and D toward the delivery end.

The carrier gripped to the cable, as just described, is carried along the main forwarding-line D until it approaches the grip-disengaging cam D11, attached to a bracket C2 by the lug D1. The propelling-cable being thus disengaged by the disengaging-caln D acting on the lever A7, the carrier will pass along the inclined part of the track D (shown in Fig'. 13) and from said track on to the elevator-carriage to be hereinafter described.

A carrier returning from the delivery-station will pass by gravity down the inclined part of the track B, Fig. 13, when the gripping-lever A1 will engage and pass under the grip-engaging cam B21, Fig. 11, su pported from the track B by the bracket B28, when the grips will engage again with the propelling-cable E and the carrier will be propelled onward to the station to which it belongs, as previously described, so that the cam B21, lever A7, spring A11, arm A11, and jaws A13 con stitute the means for automatically engaging the carrier with the propelling-cable E. The cable is supported at this point by the pulley B19 in position to be engaged by the grippingjaws of the carrier in the same manner as previously described for the pulley B211 in Figs. 1 and 2. The upper guide-rails B26 and D5 continue the whole length of said upper and lower lines and serve the purpose ot' preventing the displacement of the carriers during their travel on the upper and lower tracks, respectively.

C represents brackets placed at desired points along the line and supporting the main forwarding and return tracks D and B, and C represents an enlarged bracket placed at the stations along the line and supporting the main and branch tracks.

C2 represent-s adjustable brackets, Figs. 11 to 13, arranged to be raised and lowered to give the desired incline tothe forwarding and return tracks when the carriers run by gravity and are secured to the uprights C3, fastened to suitable supports. J ou rnaled in the brackets C at suitable points along the line are pulleys E', designed to support the cable and reduce the friction of the same.

In Fig. 15 there is shown an end view of the extreme end of the line opposite from the delivery-station,with the propelling-cable exten ding downward over the pulleys E1, around the pulley E2, from which is suspended the weight E3, the purpose of which is to keep an even tension on the propelling-cable.

The carrier, being propelled along the forwarding-tracks D by the propelling-cable E,

is disengaged from said cable by the disengaging-cam D, and then passes by gravity along the inclined port-ion of the track D, guided by the rails D21, secured to the upright bar G by the bracket D25, as shown in Figs. 13 and 1G, and approaches the elevator by which the carrier is raised or lowered to the desired iioor. As the carrier approaches the elevator the lower portion A20 of the gripping-- jaws A13, projecting from the under side of the carrier, engages with the finger D111, Figs. 1G, 17, and 18, which finger is fastened on the end of the rod D16 which passes through the sleeve D11, supported on the shaft D15, and on the opposite end of this rod D11 is a lug D11", from which extends a cord D111, passing over the pulley D9 and fastened to a plunger D11, working in the air-cushion DE, Fig. 131. The object of this air-cushion is to check the momentum of the carrier as it approaches the elevator. The portion of the track D where the jaws A111 on the carrier engage the finger D19 is inclined abruptly toward the elevator, so that after the momentum of the carrier is checked the carrier will travel by gravity toward the elevator, the speed of the carrier being governed by the plunger D11 in the aircushion DS. As the carrier approaches the elevator the iinger D11l will move along the rod D21, secured at one end on the lug D2"2 and the opposite end passing through a hole in the bar D23 until it approaches the bent portion nearest the elevator, when the finger D111 will be drawn downward by the said bent portion away 'from the grippin gjaws A13 on the carrier, and as the movement of the carrier continues the finger D19 will be released from the grip-jaws A13 and the carrier will continue on to the elevator, and the finger D1J and the rod D115 will return by weight 01 the plunger D11 to their normal positions and be stopped by the cushion-spring D211. The momentum of the carrier will thus be checked and the carrier will travel on to the elevatorcarriage slowly and will wedge in between the rails 11S, and each end of these rails, as shown in Figs. 10, 17, 1S, and 10, is mounted in lugs 119, which are arranged to slide freely in a hole in the upper part of the bracket H1. Engaging with the ends of these lugs are curved springs H10, adapted to hold the rails HB out, so that the carrier will not wedge in between them when the elevator is not in position to receive the same, but when the elevator lowers down to the position shown in Fig. 1G one end of each of the rails will engage with the curved guards G11, mounted in the hubs G8 on the bracket G11, secured to the upright bars G2, and close the ends of the rails HS together against the tension of the springs H111. These brackets G are connected together by a rod G1, which acts as a brace to prevent the rails H11 from spreading the guards G1 apart when the carrier runs on to the elevator-tracks and wedges between the rails H11.

The plunger D11 in the air-cushion D11, Fig. 13, is provided at its upper portion with IOO IOS

valve-holes D12 and a leather valve D12. The object of this valve is to allow the plunger D11 to return quickly to its norm al position by allowing the air to escape upwardly through the valve-holes D12. At the bottom of the aircushion D8 there is provided a vent D14, by which the pressure on the air-plunger D11 is regulated. After the carrier has passed on to the tracks H of the elevator-carriage the forward end of the carrier strikes the lever J, mounted on the shaft J which in turn is journ aled in the lugs J2, secured to the upright bar G2. O11 the end of the shaft-J' is mounted a lever J21, Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19, to which is attached the rod J2. This rod extends to the socket J4 of the bell-crank lever J5, pivoted at J0 to the vertical bar G'. To the end of the bell-crank at J7 is attached the rod JS, the upper end of which is fastened to the lever J 2. This lever J0 is journaled on the lug J10 and projects downwardly with a catch J12 on the lower end and is provided with a spring J11, which tends to lift the rod J8. The catch J12 engages with a corresponding catch J 28 on the slide J12, which, when engaged, holds the slide in a raised position. From the slide .T15 projects the arm J1'1, through which passes the rod J 15, provided with a collar J11, and around .the upper end of the rod J 15 is the springcushion J1". This rod J15extends downwardly vto the elevator-operating mechanism shown in Figs. 22 to 2G, which rod when lowered and raised acts to start and stop the elevator-operatin g mechanism. Vhen the carrier strikes the lever J, Fig. 16, the rod JS is pulled downward releasing the catch J 12 from the slide J12, which allows the slide J13 and the rod J 15 to drop from the position shown in Figs. 17 and 1S to the position shown in Fig. 16, the slide J12 resting upon the stop .115 on the elevator guide-bars G. This movement starts the elevator-operating mechanism and raises the elevator-carriage with the carrier up to the track M, as shown in Fig. 17. As the elevator-carriage approaches its upper position the top part of the guides H4 comes in con tact with the lower portion of the slide J13 and raises the slide J12 up to engagement with the catch J12. This upward movement of the slide J15 and the rod J 15 stops the movement of the elevator-operating mechanism, to be hereinafter described. Therefore the slide J15, rod J 15, lever O5, link O4, belt-shifter O, pulley N14, and belt N25 constitute the mechanism operated by the upward movement ofthe elevator for stopping the elevator when it reaches the upper track.

1V hen the elevator-carriage is raised to its upper position, the lug H20, projecting from the guide H4 of the elevator-carriage, Figs. 16 and 1S, engages with the catch J10, supported from the lug J 20 and operated by the spring J21. This catch will pass under the lug H20 and hold the elevator in its raised position until released, Fig. 17. Projecting from the side of the elevator-guide H4 is a lug H28, and guided in this lug at its lower end and the lug H20 at its upper end is a rod H20. On the upper end of this rod is a catch H21. Attached to this rod H20 about midway is a pin H10, Fig. 19, which engages with the arm H17. On the end of this arm H17 is carried a catch H10, provided with a spring H12. This catch H10, Fig. 19, engages with the forward axle of the carrier A4 when it is in position on the elevator-carriage and prevents the carrier from running off from the elevator, and a similar catch H11 engages with the rear axle of the carrier, Figs. 17 and 19. When the elevator-carriage engageswith the' catch J10 and is supported by the same in its raised position, the catch J10 engages with lh'c catch H21 on the rod H21 and lifts the rod and by the connection before described lowers the catch H11 and allows the carrier to run off from the elevator-carriage' tracks on to the tracks M, which are supported on the crossbar G4 and lead to the delivery-station. As the carrier enters the delivery-station the guide-rollers A0 on the sides of the carrier engage with the guide-rails M10, supported by the brackets M12, M14, and M15, which are fastened to the counter M11, Figs. 2O and 21.

This retains the carrier until it is desired to' l return it to its station on the line. The deliver -station is provided with a safety-catch M12, which prevents the carriers from being pushed out from the delivery-station until the elevator-carriage is in position to receive it. The operation of this safetystop is as follows: When the elevator-carriage is in alinement with the track M, the rollers H27 engage with the cam-face M', attached to the rod M2 and working in the lug M2. This rod M2 is attached to the lever M4, which is fastened to the end of the shaft M5, mounted in the brackets M0,secured to the track M. Upon this shaft M5 is a sleeve M1, through which the rod M1s passes. The rod M12 is provided with collars MJ and M10 and spring M2. When the elevator-carriage is in alinement with the track M, the cam-face M' is pushed backward by the roller H22, Figs. 19,20, and 21, against the tension of the spring M11. One end of the spring M11 is attached to the track M and the other end to the shaft M5. of this spring is to raise the catch M12 when the elevator-tracks H and roller H27 are not in alinement with the tracks M, and through the connections before described the catch M12 is lowered and the carrier can then be forwarded along the track M tothe elevator.

Before the carrier is returned onto the elevator-carriage the tracks H of said carriage are in position shown in Fig. 17. As the carrier passes on to the elevator-carriage the axle A4 of the carrier engages with the catch H11, Figs. 17 and 18, on the elevator-carriage, and the carrier is prevented from going farther, and the said catch H11 is mounted in the arm H12, and the spring H14 acts as a cushion for the catch H11 in the same manner as the spring H18 does for the catch H15, and the arm H12 and also the arm H17 are loosely mounted IOO IIO

The tendency upon a short shaft secured to the lugs H15 upon the elevator cross-bar H2. (See Figs. 1G, 17, 18, and 19.) The end A21 of the carrier strikes the end of the lever J25 on the shaft J21, mounted in the lugs J26 on the upright bar G, and upon this shaft J24 is fastened the lever .122, which is connected to the catch J19 by the rod J22. This movement of the lever J25, through the connections before described, will release the catch J19 from the catch H211 of the elevator-carriage and the elevator will be allowed to descend. It will thus be seen that the elevator is supported in alinement with the upper track by the catch J11, and that the leverJ25, shaft .121, lever J22, and rod J22 constitute means for releasing the elevator as the carrier passes back on to the elevator. Its descending 1n ovementwill be con trolled by mechanism in the elevator-operating mechanism, which will be hereinafter described.

As the catch J1" is released from the catch H20 on the elevator-carriage the catch H21 is also released, and the catch H16 is raised by the action of the spring H15, Figs. 17 and 19,

and the catch H1 engages with the axle of the carrier and prevents the carrier from returning or running backward off from the elevator-carriage. The carrier is thus held 'on the elevator-carriage until it is released at the proper time. As the weight of the carrier passes on to the elevator-carriage from the track M the weight of the carrier passes beyond the center Il', Figs. 17 and 19, upon 4which the tracks H are pivoted, and the .Hi in the bracket H5, secured to the elevator cross-bar H2, to which are secured at H3 the elevator-guides H1. (See Figs. 17, 18, and 19.) In this position the elevator-carriage will be lowered to the tracks B, one end of which is supported by the cross-bar G2, Fig. 18. 'When the elevator-carriage approaches the tracks B on its downward movement, the catch H25, attached to the rod H21, Figs. 17 and 18, will engage with the top of the lever L5, pivoted at Ls to the bracket L7, and the elevator-carriage will be supported in that position by the catch H26, resting on the top of the said lever L5. In this position the tracks H of the elevator-carriage are in alinement with the track B, and when the catch H25 is raised it raises with it the pin H22, attached to the rod H21, Fig. 19, and the catch H11 is lowered, which allows the carrier to leave the elevator-carriage and run on to the tracks B.

Fastened to the tracks B, Figs. 17 and 18, are lugs L, projecting downward from the tracks B, provided with a shaft L', upon the end of which is fastened a lever L3, Fig. 185. To the end of this lever L2 is fastened a rod L1, and the opposite end of this rod is fastened at L5 to the catch L5. Upward from the shaft L projects a finger L2, in position to be struck by the lug A22 on the axle A1 of the carrier. As the carrier passes on to the tracks B this lug A22 comes in contact with the leverI L2, and the lever L2 is moved forward in the direction the carrier is traveling. This movement pulls upon the rod L1, which in turn moves the lever L6 from under the catch H2 of the elevator-carriage. By this movement the elevator-carriage is again released and allowed to continue downward until stopped by stops G1, and is then in alinement with the tracks D, ready to receive another carrier from the forwarding-tracks D. Then the elevator-carriage reaches its lowest position, the friction-roller F12 engages with the cam F11, attached to the rod F2, supported in the lug F10, Figs 1G, 17, 18, and 19. This rod F1 is fastened at F2 to a lever F1, which is fastened to the end of the shaft F2, journaled in the lugs F2. Upon this shaft F2 is a sleeve F', through which passes the rod F, guided by the guide-pin F5, provided on its end wit-h a collar F5 and spring F1'. The shaft F2 is provided with a spring F12, which tends to hold the catch F in a raised position and in position to engage with the axle of any carrier that may be moving along the tracks D, provided the elevator is not in position to receive the carrier and hold the carrier until the catch F is released. This catch F is released by the roller F12 on the elevator-carriage pushing on the cam F11,whicl1, through the connections just described, lowers the catch F and allows the carrier to pass on to the elevator-carriage. lt will thus be seen that the catch F, shaft F2, lever F1, rod F11, cam F11, and roller F12 provide means for checking and holding the carrier when the elevator is out of alinement with the forwarding-track D.

The mechanism that moves the elevatorcarriage is constructed as follows, Figs. 22 to 26: Upon the base N4 are fastened two stands N2, and in the upper end of these stands is journaled the shaft N2, upon each end of which are mounted drums N N". These drums are provided with suitable spiral grooves upon which the lifting-cables K5 wind. Upon the center of this shaft N2 is mounted a hub N6, and upon this hub is mounted a gear-wheel N5 and also a friction-plate N2. Between the flange of the hub NG and the gear N5 and also between the friction-plate N8 and gear N5 are placed two leather disks N2. Fitting in a recess in the friction-plate N8 is a springplate N2, provided with springs N111, which engage with the friction-plate N5. One end of the enlarged' portion of the shaft N2 is threaded to receive the nut N11, which bears upon the hub of the spring-plate N11, and is adapted. to give the proper tension to the springs N10. Upon the base N'1 are also mounted two stands N12, to the upper ends of which are fastened a stationary shaft N12, and

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upon this shaft are loosely mounted pulleys N14 and N15. The pulley N15 is mounted on a hub N15 rovided with a gear N15, which en N1S enters into a recess in the pulley N20,.

which is also loosely mounted on the shaft N15.

From the base N1 extends a stand O5, provided with a stud O2, upon which is journaled a belt-shifter O, formed at its top with a suitable yoke, through which the belt N25 passes. From the lower end of Athis lever O extends an arm O, to which is attached the link O5, Fig. 245, and the opposite end of this link is fastened to the lever O5. One end of lthis lever O5 is journaled upon the stand O5 and the opposite end extends outward to receive a loose stud O1, to which is attached one end of the rod J15. The pulleys N11 and N15 are provided with the straight belt N25, and the pulley N20 is provided with a cross-belt N22, so that the pulley N20 will revolve in an opposite direction from the pulleysN11and N15, and the arrangement'of the clutch N15 is such that the pulley N20 is free to revolve in a direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 25 when the hoisting mechanism is not in operation.

To the base N1 is fastened the stand O5, Fig. 245, to the upper end of which is journaled an arm O11 upon the stud O0 and provided at its upper end with a pulley O12, which is held in contact with the belt N22 by the spring O10, Fig. 22. Fastened to the arm O11 is a hook O15, projecting outward and in position to engage the pins O1'1on the pulley N20, Figs. 22 and 24, should the belt N22 become displaced. The object of this is to provide a safety-stop to catch and hold the pulley N 20 in case the belt N22 should break or run off or become displaced.

In operation the lever O5 is normally held in a raised position by the rod J 15, and in this position the belt N25 runs upon the pulley N14, and the elevator-lifting mechanism remains idle.

W'hen a carrier runs on to the elevator-carriage and strikes the lever J through the connections J5, J5, J5, J0, and J15, the rod J15 is dropped and the lever O5 is lowered, and the yoke of the belt-shifting lever O moves the belt from the pulley N15 to the pulley N15. The lever J and the connections J 5, J5, J s, J 5, and J15 thus constitute means whereby the mechanism for moving the elevator is actuated by the carrier passing on to said elevator. This pulley N15 being attached to the hub N15 and gear N17, this gear is revolved and moves with it the gear N5, and the gear N5 carries with it the hub N5 by the contact of the leather friction-disks N7. This hub N5 is secured to the shaft N2, upon which is mounted the drumsNandN. Around these drums N and N' the lifting-cables K5 are wound, which pass upwardly overpulleys K3 and K5, mounted on brackets K1 and K7 on the cross-bar G5. The opposite ends of these lifting-cables are attached to the elevatorcarriage at K', Figs. 16 and 17, and by the operation of these drums N and N by the pulley N15 and the gears N17 and N5 and lifting-cables K5 mechanism is provided for 0perating the elevator and moves the elevatorcarriage. The cross-belt N22, working on the pulley N20, revolves the pulley N20 in an opposite direction to the pulleys N14 and N15. The object of this pulley N20 and clutch N1S working within the pulley is to govern the downward movement of the elevator-carriage and prevent the same from moving beyond a certain speed.

Then the elevator-carri age is released from the catch J15, Fig. 17, by the carrier striking the lever J 25, the weight of the elevator-carriage and the carrier combined is sufficient to turn the drums N and N to unwind the cable therefrom and revolve the drums in an opposite direction to that required to raise the elevator-carriage. As these drums revolve backward they carry with them the shaft N2 and gear N5, engaging with the gear N11, upon the hub of which is mounted the clutch N15. This movement of the clutch N1S is in the same direction as the pulley N20 is traveling, and the clutch N1S is so arranged that should the downward movement of the elevator cause the clutch N18 to revolve faster than the pulley N20 the clutch-balls N21 will wedge upon the inclined portion of the clutch N18 and check the downward movement of the elevator. By this it will be seen that the downward movement of the elevator is controlled by the speed of the pulley N20, operated by the cross-belt N22, while the drums N and N are free to be revolved to raise the elevator-carriage.

YV hen it is necessary for a carrier to turn a corner or branch off at an angle to the main track, the tracks B and D are formed as shown in Figs. 27 and 28, and are provided with cross-bars P and pulleys P, around which the propelling-cable passes. Suitable guide-rails B50 are fastened tothe brackets C1 by lugs B51 in position to be engaged by the rollers Aon the carrier. These guide-rails B20 guide the carrier around a corner and prevent displacement. y

Vhile the specification and drawings have shown and described the raising of the elevator-carria ge and load from the forwardingtrack to the delivery-station and the descent of said elevator-carriage down to the return track, controlled in its downward movement by the clutch mechanism hereinbefore described, yet it will be understood that the elevator and its load may be r'st lowered from the forwarding-tracks to a station below the line of said tracks and the descending movement controlled by the aforesaid clutch mechanism, and afterward the said elevator could be raised to the return-track, by which it is returned to its proper station.

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